Is The New Kindle Paperwhite Worth It?

Review of The Kindle Paperwhite

Kindles have been around for quite a few years now and they are very popular. If you’ve been stuck in an airport, waiting for an appointment or waiting to pick up your kids at school, having a Kindle to keep you company is pretty cool.

Kindles are the most popular portable e-book readers around. These tiny, slim little gadgets have been the answer to carrying big bulky books and reading little tiny print! Read magazines, books–most anything in print–right from your Kindle.

In this review, we’ll talk about the latest features of the new Kindle Paperwhite and why the new Kindle Paperwhite may be a great buy for you. If you already own a Kindle, you know the main features already. For anyone who doesn’t already own a Kindle, here’s a few standard features you can expect to find:

Small and lightweight

Adjustable font size for easier reading

Adjustable front light

Prime reading means members have unlimited access to over a thousand titles

Battery charge lasts weeks–not hours

If you have vision issues, Kindles are a great gadget that allow you to read without straining your eyes. Adjusting the font size and adjusting the lighting means that you can read your Kindle most anywhere.

Kindle Paperwhite Pros and Cons

Pros

Waterproof: Your new Kindle Paperwhite is now waterproof in up to 6 feet of water for an hour. You can read your Kindle freely around water without having to worry about damaging it. If you get your Kindle wet, see the instructions below on how to dry out your Kindle.

More Storage: Previous Kindle versions only had 4 GB of storage. Now you have a choice of 8 GB or 32 GB of storage. This will give you even more room to hold more books and magazines.

Thinner and Lighter Weight: The Kindle Paperwhite is only 6″ tall and weighs only 6 ounces. This makes it very easy to have with you no matter where you go. Pack it in an overnight bag, your purse, even a back pocket if your back pocket is big enough.

Flat Screen: The Kindle screen is now completely flat. There’s no seam at all. This means that nothing can get trapped between the screen and the Kindle.

Cons

Questionable Glare-free: According to a few customer reviews, the new Kindle Paperwhite may not completely glare free.

Sensitive: There are also reports that the new Kindle is a bit touchy. It turns itself off at the slightest touch.

Bluetooth app: If you are interested in using the Bluetooth option, you will need to download and install a separate app for that.

Low Battery Life: If you use your Kindle a lot the battery won’t last as long. The specifications indicate that the battery will last for weeks if you only read for 30 minutes a day. This may not be realistic for anyone who uses their Kindle continuously. But like cell phones, they need to be charged regularly.

Is The Paperwhite Waterproof?

YES! Your new Kindle Paperwhite is indeed waterproof. So you don’t have to worry about taking it to the pool, beach or even the bath. The new Kindle Paperwhite can be immersed in up to 6 feet of water for up to 60 minutes. So feel free to take it with you on vacation. You’ll enjoy reading your Kindle while hanging out by the pool, sacked out on the beach, or sitting on a porch somewhere.

Special Features and Add-Ons

You can get Kindle Unlimited which allows for unlimited reading and listening on any device. This is a great add-on if several people in your household use the same Kindle.

Special Offer: If you buy 2 Kindles, you’ll save 10% on both before tax. See terms and conditions here.

What Happens If My Kindle Gets Wet?

If for some reason, your waterproof Kindle gets wet, here are a few steps to take to ensure the least amount of damage:

Dry it off with a clean cloth

Tip it onto the side that has the USB connection and allow water to drain out through the USB connection. If there is a lot of water inside, tap the Kindle to help release excess water.

If it’s been immersed with cables attached, remove the cables immediately. Do not attempt to plug it back in until you are sure it is completely dry. This could take a few days.

Do not use a hair dryer or any other heat source to dry your Kindle. And do not put any foreign objects,
such as a paper towel or a cotton swab, into the USB port to dry it or clean it.

Preventative Measures

To make sure your waterproof Kindle Paperwhite is protected against water damage, do not expose your Kindle Paperwhite to any pressurized water, humid conditions like a steam room. Keep away from food, lotions, and oils. If you should encounter any problems with your Kindle Paperwhite, contact customer service.

Which Kindle Is Best For Me?

We’ve talked a lot about the fabulous features of the new Kindle Paperwhite. Here are a few other Kindles you might be interested in.

Kindle:

This is the basic Kindle that has very basic features. It comes with 4 GB storage, 167 ppi resolution, 4 LEDs front light, basic Wi-Fi and bluetooth. It’s not waterproof and does not have cellular connectivity. Great for people on a budget who don’t need a waterproof feature or a lot of storage.

Kindle Paperwhite (International version):

The Kindle International Version has all the same features as the Kindle Paperwhite U.S. version. The big difference is in the connectivity. Your Kindle International version will work fine outside the U.S. But you may encounter problems using it within the U.S. because the U.S. mobile networks use CDMA technology. Europe uses GSM technology. GSM devices will work within the U.S. As long as you can connect to a Wi-Fi network, you can use your Kindle International version. Great for International travelers.

One great feature of the Kindle International version is that you won’t encounter ads and reading suggestions outside the U.S. 😀

Kindle Oasis:

The Kindle Oasis is the King of all Kindles. Not only does the Kindle Oasis have all the features of the Kindle Paperwhite, it also has additional features such as 12 LEDs, auto-adjusting light sensors and page turn buttons. You also get an additional inch on your screen size. The Kindle Oasis has a 7” screen size as opposed to the 6” on the Kindle Paperwhite or the basic Kindle. It comes in two colors: graphite or Champagne Gold. This is a great option for heavy Kindle users.

Is Kindle Paperwhite Worth It?

The new waterproof feature of the Kindle Paperwhite makes this Kindle perfect for traveling to places where your Kindle may be exposed to water. The additional storage options and better wireless connectivity is also a great upgrade from previous Kindles. No matter what Kindle you choose, reading books or magazines with a Kindle is now more convenient than ever even if you never leave your backyard!